The Crowdfunding Accreditation for Platform Standards (CAPS) program is an initiative by Crowdsourcing.org to promote the adoption of best practices for the operation of crowdfunding platforms globally.
Designed to protect both crowdfunders (people pledging or investing capital) and fundraisers (people raising capital), the CAPS program's mission is to foster the sustainable growth of the crowdfunding industry to provide much needed capital for projects and initiatives, start-ups and small businesses.
Supported by an advisory council of leading platform operators and industry experts, the accreditation criteria will be reviewed annually to ensure high standards for performance continue to be set as the industry develops.
Accreditation is granted based on an interview and a review process. Platforms that do not meet the qualification criteria receive feedback, and upon implementation of the recommendations, are able to reapply.
Accreditation is awarded based on passing qualification criteria in four categories of platform operation:
Apply For Accreditation Disclaimer
For futher information contact:
Kevin Berg Grell, PhD
CAPS Program Director
kevin@crowdsourcing.org
Korstiaan Zandviliet
Symbid
Darren Westlake
CrowdCube
Luan Cox
HelpersUnite and GreenUnite
Jouko Ahvenainen
Grow VC
Joe Stansell
Law Jock PLLC
Howard Leonhardt
Leonhardt Ventures
Nathalie Whitaker
Give a Little
Daryl Hatton
Fundrazr
Jason Best
Start-up Exemption
Sherwood Neiss
Start-up Exemption
Maurice Lopes
President & Founder of EarlyShares
Paul Niederer
Assob
Ruth Hedges
CEO at CrowdfundingRoadmap
Candace Klein
Founder of SoMoLend
Richard Salute
J.H. Cohn
CrowdfundIntermediary Regulatory Advocates
CFIRA is a membership organization that includes members of the CrowdFund Investing, donation and reward-based crowdfunding community as well as representatives of related industries including angel and venture capital firms.
CFIRA will provide U.S. intermediaries with regulation, reporting, and compliance oversight and will provide investors with educational tools to help make more informed decisions about the opportunities and risks of CrowdFund Investing. CFIRA is committed to working with the SEC to create reasonable and appropriate regulations and oversight to reduce fraud and protect investors.
Rock The Post
Rock The Post is a crowdfunding website designed to fund small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. We are proud to be part of this proactive initiative and also thankful to have an industry standard established and upheld by the CAPS program.
Launchpad Investors
At Launchpad Investors our goal is to support entrepreneurs and protect investors. We are proud to be a part of the CAPS initiative and support its mission to foster a sustainable crowdfunding industry.
Peoples VC
(testimonial pending)
GreenUnite
Crowdnetic is, through HelpersUnite and GreenUnite, dedicated to empowering the crowd. As a new and rapidly expanding industry, we must all commit to the highest standards and we are honored to help shape and contribute to the CAPS initiative.
inlu
The JOBS Act creates new opportunities to bring a project to life, but in this ecosystem, the assurance of quality has not yet caught up. We see CAPS as an important affirmation of the quality service we provide and encourage anyone, to look for the accreditation mark when selecting funding platform.
Rebirth Financial
(testimonial pending)
PleaseFund.Us
PleaseFund.Us are delighted to collaborate with CAPS, to provide clear and transparent industry standards. We hope that all the hard work undertaken by CAPS will secure an environment that enables the wider community to enjoy the benefits of crowdfunding.
EquityNet
Launched in 2005, EquityNet is a pioneering equity crowdfunding platform with multiple patents granted for its advanced capabilities. It is used by thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, government entities, business incubators, and other members of the entrepreneurial community to plan, analyze, and capitalize privately-held businesses. EquityNet features over 12,000 individual investors who have already provided $202 million in investment capital to entrepreneurs across North America.
Crowdcube
As the first equity based crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube intends to set and maintain a high standard that other platforms will emulate. Participating in the CAPS initiative enables us to do this and we are sure this program will benefit both businesses and investors.
Shares In Stars
(testimonial pending)
Gambitious
Gambitious is the first professional crowdfunding platform dedicated to the game industry. Here to help independent game developers and publishers reach the widest audience with their proposals to attract the funding they need. Visitors can back projects via pledges or (equity) investments.
WhenYouWish
The mission of When You Wish is to radically change the way creative, economic, and humanitarian aspirations are funded by unlocking the power of capital for ordinary people. Our participation in the CAPS program is motivated by our bedrock principles of transparency and security for our users.
ProHatch
ProHatch is delighted to be recognized by CAPS for achieving the industry’s highest standards of excellence. Learn how our Phase-to-Raise™ crowdfunding process can help you successfully raise funds for businesses, philanthropy & personal projects.
StartupValley
StartupValley is an equity crowdfunding portal that allows tech startups, entrepreneurs, and other technology based businesses to raise capital in exchange for equity ownership in their company. At StartupValley we are proud to be an approved portal of the CAPS program.
Peoplefund.it
At Peoplefund.it we believe in clear and open standards within the crowdfunding industry, that’s why we’re really pleased to be assessed by the CAPS. We’re sure it will increase the take up of the sector.
ComeçAki
ComeçAki is excited to be part of the CAPS program. We know the development of standards is necessary to give trust tools to the crowd and allow the real Crowdfunding Revolution.
StartMe
StartMe is thrilled to be part of the much needed CAPS initiative. Transparency is crucial to crowdfunding serving its members to the full and this is a significant step in the right direction. By agreeing to this high level of service, we are ensuring the sustainability of the industry and on-going benefits of its beneficiaries.
CommunityLeader
CommunityLeader connects quality businesses with informed investors in a disciplined community-based approach. For business, CampaignLeader is a complete campaign management solution. CommunityInvestor provides investors the resources they demand.
DreamDoIt
(testimonial pending)
Crowdinvest
(testimonial pending)
SoMoLend
As a leading Web/mobile-based P2P lending portal, SoMoLend's mission is to make investing in your online community simple, social, and safe. This happens when best practices are communicated clearly and upheld by everyone in the industry. We're proud to partake in the CAPS initiative.
Scolaris
Scolaris.ca is a Canadian crowdfunding platform that merges the power of social media and networking with the rising popularity of crowdfunding to create custom academic scholarships. CAPS helps to strengthen our site’s mission and work as we strive to reduce the student debt crisis!
IPO Village
IPO Village is dedicated to equity crowdfunding exclusive Nasdaq IPOs. Our hosted public offerings are open to the 99%, who have until now been unable to participate in these potentially lucrative and exciting investment opportunities.
HelpersUnite
Crowdnetic is, through HelpersUnite and GreenUnite, dedicated to empowering the crowd. As a new and rapidly expanding industry, we must all commit to the highest standards and we are honored to help shape and contribute to the CAPS initiative.
Arctic Island
Crowdfunding and creating jobs is easier and more reliable than ever thanks to the tools and services on the ArcticIsland.com platform and the CAPS accreditation program. We are excited to join this initiative.
PitchStar
(testimonial pending)
PPL - Crowdfunding Portugal
PPL Crowdfunding well made in Portugal supports the regulation and high standards required to establish this new industry. We are proud to uphold and promote the CAPS initiative and, based on common values, work together to unleash the power of collaborative funding, promotion and sourcing in the world.
SymBid
Crowdfunding deals with the fundamentals of financing entrepreneurship. Creating high standards such as CAPS is the only way to prove crowdfunding as a viable, safe and secure way for investors and entrepreneurs to connect and create economic growth.
Fundrazr
At FundRazr, we are committed to increasing the transparency and trustworthiness of the crowdfunding industry by developing and adopting standards that protect customers and maintain market integrity. We are excited to join the CAPS initiative.
Foodstart
Foodstart is the leading community-financing platform for food-and-beverage companies. We are proud to have received the rigorous certification of the CAPS program.
EarlyShares
EarlyShares.com is a user-friendly Equity Based Crowdfunding platform launched by investment industry veterans in 2011. EarlyShares securely connects high-potential entrepreneurs seeking funding with investors looking for quality investments in early-stage companies, with minimum investment amounts as low as $100. In addition to allowing new ideas to get funded, the EarlyShares platform allows existing businesses access to much-needed capital in order to grow. To learn more, visit www.earlyshares.com.
Piglt
Piglt (pronounced 'piglet') is education’s entrepreneurial piggy bank. Our users engage the community to crowdfund their higher education & private student loan debt. Successful funding is sent directly to Academic or Vocational Institutions and Loan Originators.
Grow Venture Community
Grow VC is committed to building a sustainable, efficient and transparent marketplace for startup funding. We believe that our commitment to an industry-wide accreditation program will benefit our startups and investors in this new global ecosystem.
booomerang.dk
booomerang is thrilled to be enrolled in the CAPS program. As a Scandinavian platform with an international perspective, we are pleased to meet these international standards to ensure transparency, security and safety for all users, and we commit to the bright future of this rapidly growing industry.
Crowdfunder
Crowdfunder is delighted to be part of CAPS and to be part of this new industry standard. By providing a level of service that all platforms can adhere to, we are ensuring that all users and beneficiaries of these sites are secure and safe.
ASSOB
ASSOB welcomes CAPS' initiative in providing standards to this emerging industry. The requirements were thorough and we have updated our platform to comply. Equity based crowdfunding means that investors stay active after successful fundraisings; the platform must respect this.